Die Welt reports that it is the first time that a member of the German government has stated an official position on how they hope the US elections will pan out.

However Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, had made his feelings pretty clear already when he compared Trump last week to a “hate preacher”, saying he had much in common with “fear-mongers” in Germany’s right-wing populist AfD party as well as advocates of Britain’s exit from the EU.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokeswoman told the same news conference that she would stand by her policy of not commenting on the US election campaign.

French President Francois Hollande said Trump makes “you want to retch” following the Republican’s “hurtful and humiliating comments” against the Muslim parents of a slain US soldier who criticised the candidate.

Trump’s bid to take the White House is reeling from a series of self-inflicted scandals after he disparaged Muslims, babies, firefighters and the military, prompting his Republican stablemates to issue awkward denunciations.

He stirred new controversy Tuesday over comments interpreted by some as a threat of violence against rival Hillary Clinton.